One of the perks of shopping on Amazon is that anything you order is delivered right to your doorstep. And while this is an undeniable benefit for many, there are times when doorstep delivery isn’t practical or even feasible. It’s times like these that Amazon Lockers come in handy.
The Basics of Amazon Lockers
Amazon Locker is a delivery option where the company will ship your purchase to a secure nearby location, instead of your home. Lockers at these locations unlock using either a barcode scanner, or a Bluetooth connection with the Amazon app on your phone.
At checkout, choose FREE pickup available nearby to browse options near you. You can also go to Amazon’s pickup page to browse locations and hit Add to address book to save convenient ones for future use.
Not all deliveries are eligible for Amazon Locker shipping; they must be under a certain weight and size, and be sold or fulfilled by Amazon. Whenevever I have the option, here’s why I like ordering to an Amazon Locker instead of home.
Make Sure Only You Open Your Packages
Amazon orders are typically left at your doorstep or in a shared area like the mailroom or lobby. While this isn’t usually a problem, I prefer to have my packages delivered to an Amazon Locker when I have people visiting me for extended periods.
If you live in a shared space, you can’t be sure who will collect your package, and they may even accidentally open it. If you would rather your purchases remain private, selecting an Amazon Locker as your pickup point can help. This way, you can rest assured that your package will be delivered to a secure pickup location and only you will grab it.
Keep Your Home Address Private
Your address is sensitive information you should never post online. While you might not ever intentionally reveal your address, you can expose it to bad actors by using it on e-commerce platforms.
Remember that when you use your home address for online deliveries, all it takes is a data breach to expose your details. Additionally, you’re also exposing your address to delivery personnel and third-party sellers. In comparison, when you choose a designated Amazon Locker as your pickup point, you’re minimizing the chances of your address being exposed.
Prevent Package Theft
If you live in an area where theft of packages left out in the open is common, shipping your products to an Amazon Locker can be a game-changer.
Since your package at an Amazon Locker can only be accessed by a pickup code, you won’t have to worry about someone accidentally or intentionally picking up your order from a Locker.
Convenience When You’re Away
While Amazon does a pretty good job estimating how long a package will take to reach you, early shipments and unexpected delays can affect delivery times. If you’re unable to change your schedule and have to be away for a couple of days, this can cause the package to sit on your doorstep for days, putting it at risk of damage or theft.
So if you know you’re going to be away for a short period but have a delivery coming in, choose an Amazon Locker for added security. Of course, you’ll still have to get it within the pickup window, but can always arrange for someone else to grab it if you won’t be back in time.
They’re Perfect for Surprise Gifts
When purchasing surprise gifts for my family and friends, I use Amazon’s Archive Order feature for privacy. I also opt for these deliveries to end up at an Amazon Locker. This way, I don’t have to worry about the recipient accidentally opening the package.
This is especially helpful during the holiday season, when most people are likely to order several gifts.
Once your order is delivered at a Locker, you’ll receive a delivery confirmation email from Amazon. You have three days to collect the package, after which it will be returned to Amazon. While the pickup process is usually hassle-free, you can always get in touch with customer care if your Amazon order never arrived or you’re unable to locate it.
